Samwise MLB Newsletter
Monday, September 7, 2026
Acuña’s 1,000th Career Hit Sparks Braves Rally Past Phillies
Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a game-tying three-run homer in the eighth inning as the Atlanta Braves came back to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. Acuña’s blast, struck off reliever Alex McFarlane on a 100.5-mph fastball, was his 16th home run of the season and his 1,000th career hit, joining Hank Aaron as the only Braves players in history to reach 1,000 hits, 200 home runs and 200 stolen bases. Austin Riley then delivered the go-ahead RBI triple in the ninth. The win extended Atlanta’s NL East lead to five games and gave the Braves the season series over Philadelphia at 7-2.
Sources: NBC Sports
White Sox Rout Twins 10-1 as Three Sluggers Hit 30-Homer Milestone
The Chicago White Sox crushed the Minnesota Twins 10-1 on Sunday at Guaranteed Rate Field to maintain their AL Central lead. Kyle Teel capped a big night with a three-run home run, while Munetaka Murakami added an RBI single. The White Sox celebrated a milestone over the weekend as Murakami, Miguel Vargas and Colson Montgomery all reached 30 home runs in the same season, the first time three Chicago White Sox players have done so since 2008. The achievement highlights the franchise’s extraordinary turnaround after losing 121 games two seasons ago. Chicago now leads Cleveland by 2.5 games with the final stretch underway.
Dodgers Weighing IL Stint for Ohtani as Two Nagging Injuries Linger
The Los Angeles Dodgers are considering placing Shohei Ohtani on the injured list as the superstar continues dealing with knee and biceps injuries, CBS Sports reported. Ohtani missed his third consecutive game on Saturday against the Washington Nationals. As a two-way player, Ohtani would be required to go on the 15-day IL rather than the 10-day IL. Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani’s workout went well Saturday and expressed hope the slugger could return to the lineup Monday. Separately, MLB Trade Rumors reported Ohtani is not likely to pitch again in 2026, whether in the regular season or postseason.
Sources: CBS Sports
Yordan Alvarez Chases MLB’s First Triple Crown Since 2012
Yordan Alvarez enters September leading the American League in batting average at .319 and home runs with 36, while sitting tied atop the AL in RBIs at 91, per CBS Sports. A Triple Crown would make him the first winner in any league since Miguel Cabrera in 2012; an MLB-wide Triple Crown has not occurred since Mickey Mantle in 1956. The Houston Astros, at 73-70, lead the AL West by three games over Texas as they push into the final stretch. Alvarez hit .287 with two home runs and 12 RBIs in August, meaning the final weeks will be crucial to his bid.
Sources: CBS Sports
Marlins Rout Cubs 10-3, Return to .500 With Wild Card in Sight
Javier Sanoja hit a two-run homer and Heriberto Hernández added a solo shot as the Miami Marlins beat the Chicago Cubs 10-3 on Sunday. Hernández knocked his team-leading 24th homer in the fourth inning before the Marlins blew the game open with a five-run fifth. The big frame started with a walk to Graham Pauley and saw Griffin Conine reach on a hit-by-pitch and Owen Caissie deliver a two-RBI groundout. Hernández and Joe Mack each added RBI singles later in the inning. Miami improved to 72-72 with 18 games remaining, inching within 3.5 games of Arizona for the final NL Wild Card spot.
Dodgers Beat Nationals 7-5, Maintain Big NL West Lead Without Ohtani
The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Washington Nationals 7-5 on Sunday at Dodger Stadium, continuing to produce without Shohei Ohtani, who sat out his third straight game with knee and biceps injuries. Manager Dave Roberts has expressed optimism about Ohtani returning to the lineup Monday, saying after Saturday’s workout that things were trending in the right direction. Tommy Edman has been handling the leadoff role in Ohtani’s absence. The win moved Los Angeles to 85-57, capping a series victory over Washington. The Dodgers hold a commanding 10.5-game lead over Arizona in the NL West with the division all but clinched.
Padres Edge Yankees 4-3 to Take Sunday Series Finale
The San Diego Padres beat the New York Yankees 4-3 on Sunday at Petco Park, claiming the series finale of a three-game set. The series opened with a San Diego win before the Yankees took Saturday’s game 5-1. Sunday’s result gave the Padres the series. San Diego sits at 74-68, close to Arizona in the race for the final NL Wild Card berth. New York, at 81-61, remains second in the AL East, 4.0 games behind Tampa Bay, with Boston at 78-65 in third. The two clubs head in different directions: San Diego chasing a wild card, New York trying to catch the Rays.
Sources: CBS Sports
MLB Rosters Expand for September With Wave of Top Prospects
Major League Baseball’s September roster expansion has delivered a wave of exciting prospects to big league lineups. Among the most notable arrivals, catcher Ethan Salas joined the San Diego Padres at just over 20 years old, set to become the youngest catcher to appear in the majors since Ivan Rodriguez debuted as a 19-year-old in 1991, per CBS Sports. The Cleveland Guardians recalled right-hander Austin Peterson from Triple-A Columbus and designated reliever Carlos Hernández for assignment while reinstating Slade Cecconi. The Cincinnati Reds promoted outfielder Carlos Jorge, 22, from Triple-A Louisville for his big-league debut. Teams can now carry 28-man rosters for the final three weeks.
Sources: CBS Sports
American League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL East | |||
| Tampa Bay Rays | 85 | 57 | — |
| New York Yankees | 81 | 61 | 4.0 |
| Boston Red Sox | 78 | 65 | 7.5 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 72 | 71 | 13.5 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 69 | 74 | 16.5 |
| AL Central | |||
| Chicago White Sox | 74 | 68 | — |
| Cleveland Guardians | 72 | 71 | 2.5 |
| Minnesota Twins | 68 | 74 | 6.0 |
| Detroit Tigers | 65 | 77 | 9.0 |
| Kansas City Royals | 63 | 80 | 11.5 |
| AL West | |||
| Houston Astros | 73 | 70 | — |
| Texas Rangers | 70 | 73 | 3.0 |
| Seattle Mariners | 66 | 77 | 7.0 |
| Athletics | 57 | 86 | 16.0 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 54 | 88 | 18.5 |
National League
| Team | W | L | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| NL East | |||
| Atlanta Braves | 84 | 58 | — |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 80 | 62 | 4.0 |
| Miami Marlins | 71 | 72 | 13.5 |
| Washington Nationals | 67 | 77 | 18.0 |
| New York Mets | 64 | 78 | 20.0 |
| NL Central | |||
| Milwaukee Brewers | 88 | 56 | — |
| Chicago Cubs | 81 | 62 | 6.5 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 71 | 72 | 16.5 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 70 | 73 | 17.5 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 69 | 74 | 18.5 |
| NL West | |||
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 85 | 57 | — |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | 75 | 68 | 10.5 |
| San Diego Padres | 74 | 68 | 11.0 |
| San Francisco Giants | 59 | 84 | 26.5 |
| Colorado Rockies | 55 | 87 | 30.0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency